Kuqa in southern Xinjiang is a tourist attraction filled with historical heritage and natural scenery. Here is a detailed introduction to tourism in Kuqa, southern Xinjiang:
I. Must-Visit Attractions
Mysterious Grand Canyon of Tianshan Mountains: This is the most unmissable world wonder on the Duku Highway. The magnificent and steep Grand Canyon is a typical red danxia landform, with a total length of over 5,000 meters and varying widths at the bottom. The scarlet red rocks are breathtakingly beautiful. Tourists can appreciate the awe-inspiring work of nature here and feel the tranquility and mystery within the canyon.
Kuqa王府 (Wangfu, Mansion): This was once the residence of the last King of Kuqa, Dawuti Mahsuti. Unlike the mansions in the central plains of China, it combines architectural features of the central plains and Islamic styles. The Qiuci Museum in the mansion displays tens of thousands of artifacts, making it an important place to understand Qiuci culture.
Kuqa Grand Mosque: As an important religious building in southern Xinjiang, Kuqa Grand Mosque has profound historical and cultural value. It is a great place for tourists to experience the local religious atmosphere and architectural art.
Subashi Buddhist Temple Ruins: This is an important Buddhist site of the ancient Qiuci Kingdom. Tourists can explore the historical origins of Buddhist culture here.
Kizilgaha Beacon Tower: As an important military facility on the ancient Silk Road, Kizilgaha Beacon Tower has witnessed the prosperity and vicissitudes of the Silk Road.
In addition, scenic spots such as the Daxiao Longchi Scenic Area, Senmusem Thousand Buddha Caves, Kizil Thousand Buddha Caves, and Wensu Grand Canyon are also worth visiting.
II. Travel Suggestions
Itinerary Planning: It is recommended that tourists allocate two days to explore Kuqa. Spend one day within the city, visiting places like the Kuqa王府 (王府, mansion) and Kuqa Grand Mosque; and another day outside the city to admire natural scenery and Buddhist relics, such as the Mysterious Grand Canyon of Tianshan Mountains and the Subashi Buddhist Temple Ruins.
Accommodation and Dining: Kuqa is not a popular tourist city, so hotel accommodation is relatively inexpensive. Hotels within the city are fully equipped, so there is no need to worry about accommodation. In terms of dining, Kuqa mainly offers cuisine based on southern Xinjiang customs, which is cost-effective, with an average daily per capita consumption of around 120 yuan.
Transportation: Kuqa boasts convenient transportation with the Qiuci Airport and Kuqa Railway Station. Travel to other cities in Xinjiang is mainly by air, supplemented by train. The urban public transportation system is also relatively complete, and tourists can easily travel around the city by riding shared electric scooters.
In general, Kuqa in southern Xinjiang is a tourist attraction that integrates natural scenery, historical culture, and religious art. Whether it’s for adventure-loving tourists or history-enthusiastic culture lovers, they can all find their own fun here.